Category: Newsletter

You may recall that, in the last Newsletter, we appealed for someone to assist in setting up a Website for the Club. We were delighted to have a member, Ron Powell, come forward and offer to guide us through this somewhat daunting task. Thank you, Ron! Since then Ron has been hard at work creating our own Club website and the work-in-progress can be found at www.exeterspreadeagles.org

Please take a look and let us know what you think, or would like to see on our site. You can leave feedback on this page, or contact one of the Committee.

Pensioners Clubs National Forum

Early on a dull morning in late November, two of our Committee members, Garry Adams and Les Rendell caught the train to London. They were attending, on our behalf, the Barclays Pensioners Clubs National Forum at the Bank’s Head Office, and had a long day ahead of them. The morning featured the Annual Briefing on Barclays Bank from John McFarlane, Executive Chairman, and an Afternoon Forum discussing various topics for the development of Pensioners Clubs. This latter session provided many ideas to mull over, and we aim to use some of these to take our own Club forward.

A resume of some of the sessions is included in this Newsletter and there will be more information at our Annual General Meeting at the Exeter Golf and Country Club on Tuesday, 8th March. We are also fortunate that we have joining us, as a Guest Speaker, Chris Hampton of the local Fine Art Auctioneers, Bearnes, Hampton & Littlewood. Menu and booking form are to be found later in this Newsletter. We do hope that you can come to what should be an interesting event, with the usual excellent lunch!

Andrew Green, Hon. Secretary

Welfare

We have just returned from what turned out to be a trip of a lifetime, including spending some magical moments with the grandchildren in Melbourne. The cold weather is helping us return to reality though!

I am now looking ahead to see how we can make progress on all matters relating to Welfare, and to support you, our members.

Vacancy

We are still in need of additional help! The position is a non-committee role, and I shall be very happy to have a chat with you to discuss what is involved.

Bank Workers Charity

As you may be aware, the merger between Spread Eagle Foundation, and the Bank Workers Charity was formally completed in October.

The Spread Eagle Foundation primarily dealt with grants to pensioners. BWC will continue to offer grants, including Christmas grants, (dependent on successful applications). However, there are now additional support services available. BWC partners with many charities to offer a wide range of support services, including Mind, Relate, Leonard Cheshire Disability, Cruse Bereavement Care and Independent Age. BWC has special relationships with these partners which means support can be offered more quickly than if individual charities were approached directly.
The type of support BWC offers includes:
–  Help with issues around caring for someone
–  Help in managing stress, isolation and depression
–  Assistance in accessing welfare benefits
–  Help with financial problems
–  Bereavement service
–  Assistance in accessing counselling
services.

If you need to get in touch with BWC, their details are:
Telephone: 0800 028 2238 
or 0800 023 4834
Email: SEF@bwcharity.org.uk 
OR
as ever, contact your Welfare Officer.
You can find out more about BWC on their website www.bwcharity.org.uk

Ray Cavill, Welfare Co-ordinator

Head Office National Forum (25th November 2015)

The message from the Bank’s Chairman, John McFarlane, was one of looking at the future shape of the Bank and regulatory changes: His vision being that by 2019 we would have three Banks within the Group umbrella, each with its own capital base and profit line. He surmised:-
The main Bank being UK Retail and Business; Barclaycard Worldwide; a U.S. Bank and general Overseas business.
An African Bank to take advantage of a strong existing franchise.
The Investment Bank including financing large Corporates and the Lehmans Investment Bank, which was already exceeding expectations.
The Chairman accepted that profits were currently under pressure due to a penal Banking Tax (28%), continuing Fines and PPI payouts. In 2015, the Dividend had been paid from Capital. Thus, in his words, surgery was needed to improve matters. Hence productivity had to improve: Unproductive franchises are to be sold off, the Capital ratio increased from 11% to 12% and the dividend return improved. Overall, his view was that we had a great past, a legacy to build on, a strong continuing brand, but were currently performing only on a “good-in-parts” basis.

A particular bright spot was Barclaycard. It is producing 25% of Group profits, yet only utilising 10% of the capital base. It was expanding worldwide with only 40% of its business now in the UK. Future emphasis was on merchant acquisition and innovation with technology. Its future was bright!

THE UKRF – Your Pension Fund

The report here showed that the Fund continues to perform well, with current in-payment pensions paid from income, so that the Fund is still growing – currently at £23 billion, rising over the next two to three years to £27 billion. Capital was expected to grow until 2026 when more deferred pensions would come into payment. The erosion of capital would then peak around 2041, and the Fund was set to last into the 2070s, which should see us all out!! The Bank was going to increase its annual contribution from £300m to £600m for the years 2017 to 2021 to meet actuarial standards. Current investment returns were 9.1%, with only some 15% of the Fund in equities, so the current downturn in markets had limited impact. This was a positive report.

TOWERS WATSON – Your Pension Administrator

We were told here that service levels were improving and that the 250,000 members produced some 8000 cases/enquiries per month, with an approval rating of 97%. I really wonder if this is realistic. What is your opinion or experience? Please let us know, so that we can send information forward.

Garry Adams and Les Rendell, Committee Members

Annual General Meeting

The Club’s Annual General Meeting takes place on Tuesday, 8th March 2016 at 10.45am in the Mews Suite at the Exeter Golf and Country Club, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 7AE. There is plenty of parking available in the two car parks situated in the grounds and disabled parking is at the entrance to the second parking area – you can take your car to the entrance (paved area) and then have it moved to a suitable bay. If you would like to come but need a lift, please contact one of our Welfare Officers who will do their best to find a lift for you.

Access will be available for (free) coffee/tea and biscuits from 10.15am and we would ask that you are in your seats prior to the start of the meeting at 10.45 am so that there is no distraction whilst we remember those who are no longer with us.

We have saved some costs by not including the Agenda with this newsletter, planning to distribute on the day, but if any would wish for a copy prior to this, in print or electronically, we shall be happy to oblige.

Functions

AGM Luncheon

The Annual General Meeting will be followed by lunch. Menu/booking form is enclosed and should be returned to me (please note change of address) with your cheque by Monday, 22nd February 2016. Cheques will be banked on Thursday, 25th February. No refunds will be given after this date. The cost per head for members is £13.50 or £25.00 per head for non-members. The cost includes a glass and a half of wine OR a glass of orange, apple or grapefruit juice.

Please also let me know when replying of any special dietary requirements you may have, e.g. if you do not want sauces or gravy.

The lunch will be in the Duckworth Suite. Please try to collect your booking form from me, showing your food choice, if possible before the AGM, to place on your chosen table; remember we do not have a seating plan for this event.

The restaurant staff will take a note of your food selection around 12.40pm so please do not move your place setting after this time.

Bars in the Mews and Duckworth Suites will be available from approximately 12.15 pm and lunch will be served at 1.00pm.

Future dates for your diary:

Wednesday, 13th April free Coffee Morning, 10.15am – 12 noon
Froginwell Vineyard, Woodbury Salterton

Thursday, 26th May Lunch at Sidmouth Harbour Hotel (Westcliff)

Tuesday, 28th June free Afternoon Tea, 3.00pm – 4.30pm
Froginwell Vineyard, Woodbury Salterton
(scone, jam and cream per person)

Tuesday, 13th September Lunch at Best Western Hotel, Tiverton

Further details in subsequent Newsletters.

Lynne Ring, Committee Member
01392 879446 (new telephone number)

Fundraising Give-Away from Barclays !

Les Rendell, one of our Committee members, was fundraising for ShelterBox by distributing his Prize Quiz Sheets at our recent Committee Meeting. In doing so, he reminded us that Barclays has a long-standing commitment to match the charity fundraising activities of pensioners by up to £750 per year. Well done to Les for his continuing work for charities supported by his Rotary Club and well done to Barclays for their continuing generosity!

Now, I am sure that Les is not the only one amongst us doing his bit for others less fortunate, but he may be the only one currently using Barclays’ generosity to boost the outcome of his activities. So if you are hosting a coffee morning, or doing something similar, to raise significant sums of money for a good cause – and you must be the prime mover and organiser – it could pay to investigate this scheme, on-line only I am afraid, at httpss://barclays.givingforce.com

Les tells me that he would be pleased to assist anyone who would like to explore Matched Funding for a charity they support. His contact details are listed on the Committee page. With the ever-increasing use of internet-based actions, we can see why Barclays have taken a lead by offering Digital Eagle services to all!

My wife Lyn’s pension update still arrived by post and we judged that the accompanying information was comprehensive and useful. The information on financial support for those facing hardship was most helpful, backing up the good work our own Welfare team offer. There was even a handy outline of Pensioners’ Clubs benefits and activities, complete with a comprehensive directory of all such clubs, nationwide and even international. Hopefully, this may produce some enquiries from folk in our area that have yet to enjoy our company!

We do hope to see you at our Christmas Lunch, always a rather special occasion. Full details, with menu options and booking form, are included inside this issue.

Welfare

All reasonably quiet on the Welfare front! Perhaps too quiet?

Grants – one application has been submitted for a Christmas grant, and will hope to have this approved. Welfare Officers will be pleased to talk to you about ongoing support.

Vacancy – still looking for a volunteer! I shall be very pleased to have a chat with you about joining our team.

Absence – I shall be away from the middle of November for two months. Please speak with any Welfare Officer or a member of the committee during this time.

I shall wish you all an early ‘Seasonal Greetings’. Barbara and I will be thinking of those of you enjoying the Christmas festivities at The Victoria!

Ray Cavill, Welfare Coordinator

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Functions

Our next event is a free Coffee Morning on Thursday, 12th November 2015 at the Cat & Fiddle on the A3052 Exeter to Sidmouth road at Clyst St Mary, EX5 1DP, 10am – 12 noon. We do hope that many of you will join us at this new venue that is opening especially early for us. There is an excellent menu for those wishing to stay on for lunch – at your own cost. There is plenty of level parking available. If you would like to come but need a lift, please contact one of our Welfare Officers who will do their best to find a lift for you.

The next lunch is the Christmas Lunch on Tuesday, 8th December 2015 at the Victoria Hotel, The Esplanade, Sidmouth EX10 8RY at 1pm.

Menu/booking form is enclosed and should be returned to me with your cheque by 20th November 2015. Cheques will be banked on that day. For information: Cheques need to be banked earlier as Barclays has changed its clearance policy in that all cheques – even ‘house’ cheques – are not now debited to individual accounts for three working days. Plus, credits take five working days to clear. No refunds will be given after this date.

The cost per head for members is £13.50 or £27.00 per head for non-members. The cost includes a glass and a half of wine OR a glass of orange, apple or grapefruit juice.

Please also let me know when replying of any special dietary requirements you may have, e.g. if you do not want sauces or gravy.

For those who like to make this event more of an occasion, you can arrive from 11.00am to purchase tea/coffee and the bar will be open from 12 noon.

Should you wish to sit with particular friends would you please let me know so that I can complete the Seating Plan. If you are part of a group, please ensure you have liaised with your Group Organiser so that he/she may complete the relevant portion of the booking form. Please check the Seating Plan when you arrive to see where you are seated.

Future date for your diary

Tuesday, 8th March 2016 Annual General Meeting and Lunch at Exeter Golf & Country Club

Further details will be included in the next Newsletter. Do please try to come to at least one event in the year. If getting to an event is difficult for you, please do not hesitate to contact any member of the Committee and we will do our best to arrange transport for you. We would like to see you – and it helps our finances!

Lynne Ring, Committee Member

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Webmaster (or Webmistress) Wanted!

Barclays are looking at hosting an “umbrella” website for their pensioner clubs, under which individual clubs, such as ours, could promote their activities.

Increasingly, folk looking at joining an organisation do their research on-line, and it would be very beneficial if our club had a modest presence on the web.

Sadly, none of your Committee members possess the ability to set up and maintain such a webpage(s), but we wondered whether there was an individual within the club who could take on this task? Or, perhaps you have a younger, more computer-literate member of your family who could work with you to do this?

If you think that you can help, or know someone who can, please talk to any of us on the Committee.

Some seventy members of the Club welcomed local Barclays Digital Eagles at our Annual General Meeting at the Exeter Golf and Country Club in March. After the formalities of the morning were over, Jade Wood and her three colleagues gave a presentation about the work of the team. Digital Eagles can help people get the best out of their smart phones, tablets and laptops. They showed how easy it was to set up for on-line banking, and how to stay secure, whilst embracing all the opportunities of the digital world. Further information may be found in the notes Jade has kindly written for members in this Newsletter.

Then members did what they like doing best, and enjoyed each other’s company over a splendid lunch. The Club organises four heavily-subsidised (by the Bank) lunches a year for members. Whether you worked for the Bank in Devon, or have moved to the area in retirement, even if you have never attended before, we would love to see you at one of our functions. You will probably already know several of the folk present. We have included a copy of the next delicious lunch menu in this issue. Don’t worry whether you joined as an Active or Inactive member, just book your place(s) (no booking necessary for Coffee Mornings), come along and enjoy. You will be made most welcome.

Andrew Green, Hon Secretary

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Financial matters

The year 2014 proved to be a very positive one for the Club’s finances, albeit unexpectedly! The planned budgeted deficit turned out to be a surplus of £759, for a number of reasons, amongst which the following are pertinent.

1. General expenses were £160 lower than the previous year as more of you move onto e-mail and the outsourced printing of our newsletters is proving beneficial.
2. No representatives went to the annual HO Forum in November, saving £360 on our budget.
3. The low attendance (of 47) at our Autumn lunch in Tiverton saved £300 on our planned budget.
4. The initiative of holding a raffle at the Christmas lunch brought in £250 of unexpected income. Thank you to Lyn Green for that idea. We will repeat it this year.

As a result of the above, we have finished the year with £2640 in our accounts. For 2015, this means that we can afford to run a planned deficit of £700, and still have £1940 in our kitty at the year-end. We can thus continue with our subsidised social programme of 4 lunches and 2 free coffee mornings, whilst keeping members’ contributions at £15 for each lunch and an average subsidy of 47% across the year. Furthermore, we should be able to do the same for 2016.

The HO Grant income will be £4126 this year compared to £4222 in 2014. A very slight drop.

Finally, once again your £5 per active member Subscription entitles you to £56 of subsidy if you attend all events: Fantastic value for money. Please therefore come along and attend at least one of our events in 2015.

Garry Adams, Hon Treasurer

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Welfare

It was good to see those who attended the recent A.G.M.

I was able to thank Pat Willis for her tremendous contribution as a Welfare Officer over a period of 22 years!

As previously mentioned, Pat’s well earned retirement means that we do have a vacancy. As I live in Exmouth, I have taken on responsibility for those who live in and around that area, and I am looking for someone to oversee the Sidmouth region.

I will provide support – and a handbook – although ‘Life Experience’ is the main qualification!

If you think that you can support us, please do ring me.

Ray Cavill, Welfare Coordinator – 01395 275265

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Functions

Our next get-together is a FREE Coffee Morning, 10am-12 noon, on Thursday, 16th April 2015 at The White Horse, Sidmouth Road, Woodbury Salterton  EX5 1EP (A3052 – main Exeter to Sidmouth road).  For those of you who joined us for the Coffee Morning at Froginwell Vineyard, the White Horse is next door!  The White Horse has an excellent menu for those wishing to stay on for lunch (at your own cost, of course).  There is a large car park on level ground.  Wi-fi is available so we are hoping to have a return meeting with Barclays Digital Eagles for those who may find it of interest – bring your i-phones, i-pads!

The next lunch will be on Thursday, 14th May 2015 at the Sidmouth Harbour Hotel (Westcliff), Manor Road, Sidmouth EX10 8RU at 1pm.

Menu/booking form is enclosed and should be returned to me with your cheque by 5th May 2015.  Cheques will be banked on that day.  For information: Cheques need to be banked earlier as Barclays has changed its clearance policy in that all cheques – even ‘house’ cheques – are not now debited to individual accounts for three working days.  Plus, credits take five working days to clear.  No refunds will be given after this date.  The cost per head for members is £15.00 or £29.50 per head for non-members.  The cost includes a glass and a half of wine OR a glass of orange, apple or grapefruit juice.

Please also let me know when replying of any special dietary requirements you may have, e.g. if you do not want sauces or gravy.

For those who like to make this event more of an occasion, you can arrive from 11.00am to purchase tea/coffee and the bar will be open from 12 noon.

Please collect your menu choices form from me and place on your chosen table by 12.40pm.  Please do not move them after this time.

Future dates for your diary

Tuesday, 7th July 2015 (free) Coffee Morning at Froginwell Vineyard, Woodbury Salterton

Tuesday, 15th September 2015 Lunch at Best Western Tiverton Hotel

Tuesday, 8th December 2015 Christmas Lunch at Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth

Tuesday, 8th March 2016 Annual General Meeting and Lunch at Exeter Golf & Country Club

Further details of these events will be included in future Newsletters.  Do please try to come to at least one event in the year. If getting to an event is difficult for you, please do not hesitate to contact any member of the Committee and we will do our best to arrange transport for you.  We would like to see you – and it helps our finances!

Lynne Ring, Committee Member

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Digital Eagles

Jade Wood, Cornwall and Devon Branch Manager, who recently brought some of her Digital Eagle team members to our AGM, writes :-

“Barclays has a large agenda of support for the community in this digital age.

“The Digital Driving Licence, launched last year, has now been rolled out nationally. Under this scheme, a series of quizzes and learning activities can be undertaken, in a range of modules from Online Security to Coding, and, upon completion, a City and Guilds Accreditation will be awarded.

“More recently, the Fraud and Scam Awareness Project has started in conjunction with local Police and Trading Standards Officers. This aims to teach about current scams and fraud, and how to avoid them, as well as where to seek guidance. It covers doorstep fraud, online and telephone scams and has been very well received.

“Tea and Teach Events are also being run in branches, where you can come into a branch and our Digital Eagles can support you in a number of ways – from setting up your new iPhone, to creating an email account, or showing you how to shop safely online – all with a cup of tea or coffee!

“For more information please Google Barclays Digital Driving Licence or Barclays Tea and Teach, and, if you would like to know more about the fraud awareness, please let me know.

“Our Regional Digital Eagle is Tammy.Hyndman@Barclays.com and she will be in touch later in the year regarding the launch of our @Silver Eagles@ proposition!”

 

‘Of bales and banking’

You may know of a former Barclays manager, Mike Pitcher, who recently wrote to us:

“My latest book is ‘Of bales and banking’, and was featured in our ‘connection’ magazine last year. It tells of my early days with Barclays, at a tiny branch in darkest Wiltshire. All profits are being donated to a range of charities.

I am now able to offer the book at a 25% discount to fellow pensioners, whilst stocks last. Send your name and address, with a cheque for Fifteen Pounds (£15), which includes P & P, to: M. Miller, 6 St. Michael’s Road, Melksham, SN12 6HW.  Please mark the application ‘Barclays Pensioner’.   Thank you.”

“Well, that’s that over for another year!”
Carole Searle reminded me at the Spread Eagle December Lunch (wasn’t that a good day?), that she would need copy for this January Newsletter soon, preferably before Christmas!
Now, Carole does a wonderful job for us all in getting this Newsletter out accurately, on time, and in print and electronic formats, so I wouldn’t want to upset her schedule. But, strangely, it does mean that as I sit down to write this to you, in the middle of December, with carols on the radio and my wife baking mince pies, I must say that I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year!
So, now we are in 2015, our first event is the Club AGM and Lunch on Tuesday 3rd March, at the customary venue of the Exeter Golf and Country Club. In addition to conducting the necessary business of the day, we shall also be joined by local Barclays Digital Eagles who will be telling us of their work to assist customers get the best out of the Bank’s digital services. Bring along your smart phone or tablet and you could have a live demonstration of the services available!
Full details are enclosed and, as this promises to be a very worthwhile meeting (as well as another good lunch!), we do hope that you can attend.
Andrew Green, Hon. Secretary
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WELFARE
Christmas Grants – Delighted to report that the application was successful, and a full grant paid. Please do not hesitate to approach your Welfare Officer to discuss ongoing support, and the various monies that may be available.
Attending Events – Thank you to everyone who has provided a lift. This has ensured that we have enabled as many members attend both the coffee morning, and the recent lunches. Again, please contact one of us should you need a lift, and we shall do our best to help.
Welfare Vacancy – As mentioned in the last Newsletter, and at the Christmas Lunch, we shall need a replacement for Pat Willis when she steps down at the AGM. If you think that you can help us, please let me know as soon as possible. I shall be only too pleased to discuss things.
Ray Cavill, Welfare Coordinator. Tel: 01395 275265
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Club’s Annual General Meeting takes place on Tuesday, 3rd March 2015 at 10.45am in the Mews Suite at the Exeter Golf and Country Club, Topsham Road, Exeter  EX2 7AE.  There is plenty of parking available in the two car parks situated in the grounds and disabled parking is at the entrance to the second parking area – you can take your car to the entrance (paved area) and then have it moved to a suitable bay.
Access will be available for (free) coffee/tea and biscuits from 10.15am and we would ask that you are in your seats prior to the start of the meeting at 10.45 am so that there is no distraction whilst we remember those who are no longer with us.
We have saved some costs by not including the Agenda with this newsletter, planning to distribute on the day, but if any would wish for a copy prior to this, in print or electronically,  we shall be happy to oblige.
AGM LUNCHEON
The Annual General Meeting will be followed by lunch. Menu/booking form is enclosed and should be returned to me with your cheque by 19th February 2015.  Cheques will be banked on 26th February 2015.    No refunds will be given after this date.  The cost per head for members is £15.00 or £25.00   per head for non-members.  The cost includes a glass and a half of wine OR a glass of orange, apple or grapefruit juice.
Please also let me know when replying of any special dietary requirements you may have, e.g. if you do not want sauces or gravy.  If you wish to have a vegetarian option, please contact me directly by telephone on 01392 206434 or email: lynne_ring@hotmail.com for details.
The lunch will be in the Duckworth Suite. Please try to collect your booking form from me, showing your food choice, if possible before the AGM, to place on your chosen table; remember we do not have a seating plan for this event.
The restaurant staff will take a note of your food selection around 12.40pm so please do not move your place setting after this time.
Bars in the Mews and Duckworth Suites will be available from approximately 12.15 pm and lunch will be served at 1.00pm.
Lynne Ring, Committee Member